Rivergate thinks big

In an aim to increase its offering to the international superyacht
market, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard has announced that it is now able to offer berthing
for vessels up to 234m. SuperyachtNews.com speaks exclusively to manager Andrew Cannon about the expansion and his hopes of attracting more superyachts to the facilities in Queensland, Australia.

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Previously able to accommodate vessels up to 80m, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard in Queensland, Australia is expanding its facilities in an aim to increase its offering to the international superyacht market. Rivergate has announced that they are now able to offer berthing for vessels up to 234m in length.

This new berthing is available via a commission of Queensland Bulk Terminal’s ‘sugar wharf’. With the two companies working together, Andrew Cannon, Rivergate’s manager announces the new capability and reveals that the decision to expand comes from the aim to attract more superyachts to the facilities.

“At this stage demand for such a berth is not high, although there are vessels cruising the Asia Pacific that could utilise such a berth and Rivergate’s repair and maintenance services,” Cannon explains. “The issue in the past is simply that there has been no ‘good’ options for vessels in excess of 80m other than commercial wharves alongside container ships. In these circumstances the vessels are also treated as commercial vessels and subject to paying excessive berthing fees, security, lighting, line handlers and the list goes on. This new berthing option allows for very efficient parking on a private berth without going through the scrutiny of parking in a commercial precinct. This new berth allows Rivergate to access with cranes and forklifts and carry out in-water maintenance.”

Rivergate's new 234m berth.

As a result of the new offering, which is unique to the region, Cannon is optimistic for the future. “I believe that once the news is out that there is a cost-effective, easy-access berth to cater for the larger superyachts that also has the capacity for maintenance works, it will add a consideration in the preplanning of these vessels and their passage planning,” he adds. “Rivergate is in a central location on the Eastern seaboard of Australia, south of the cyclone belt, which means we are the perfect destination. Our teams of tradespeople, along with our management team, means that vessels anywhere within the Asia Pacific area have easy and safe access to some of the best cruising and best services in the world.

Rivergate Marina and Shipyard in Queensland, Australia

“We accommodate vessels of all sizes here at Rivergate, but of course a major focus will always be on those bigger projects. More vessels are choosing Rivergate for their refit works and in the last 12 months we have carried out refit work on seven superyachts. We’re really proud of how the business has continued to grow and of this latest alliance. We see this as not only a great opportunity for Rivergate, but for the marine industry as a whole.”

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